Peace Tree due for the chop
national |
miscellaneous |
news report 
Monday January 20, 2003 19:11
by Niall O Brolchain - Galway Environmental Alliance
niallob at esatclear dot ie
83 Ros Ard, Cappagh Road, Galway
091 596680
A Cherry Tree planted in Eyre Square as a symbol of Galway as a ‘Nuclear Free Zone’ is due to be chopped down as part of the proposed redevelopment of Eyre Square.
A Cherry Tree planted in Eyre Square as a symbol of Galway as a ‘Nuclear Free Zone’ is due to be chopped down as part of the proposed redevelopment of Eyre Square.
While hundreds of people from Galway have been involved in the various peace protests in Shannon, to protest at the use of Shannon Airport to facilitate a probable war in the Middle East, a potent symbol of peace in Galway itself is under threat.
A Cherry tree planted to symbolise Galway becoming a ‘Nuclear Free Zone’ is under threat. Cherry trees have a lifespan of over a hundred years and this particular tree should have a long and fruitful life ahead of it. However, it is due for the chop along with 89 other trees in Eyre Square Galway. Perhaps a potent symbol of the times we live in.
Comments (1 of 1)
Jump To Comment: 1William of Orange and Mary accepted the throne of England in 1698, supplanting King James II who took refuge with his ally and sponsor Louis XIV of France. The tensions between James and William would reach their highpoint in 1690 at the Battle of the Boyne in Meath, where James was defeated. In Duleek at that time there was a very significant colony of Huguenots (French escape persecution for their religious beliefs in Protestants) who had fled persecution in France. Subsequently to the Battle of the Boyne the people of Duleek planted two saplings entwined around each other, one an ash (native to these islands) and the other a lime (foreign and exotic) to represent Mary and William. The ash was still alive in 1849 and was referred to by Sir William Wilde following a visit to Duleek. It did not however survive into living memory. The lime tree, representing William, is still standing and is the oldest and largest lime tree in Ireland. The indent into which the ash tree was embedded is clearly visible on its north side.
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